Which parks and reserves are best for the Honey Badger in South Africa?

Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Honey Badger at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Gondwana Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Welgevonden Game Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.

Where can you see the Honey Badger in South Africa?

The Honey Badger is most recorded in Western Cape (34% of records), Mpumalanga (26% of records), Limpopo (16% of records), based on 621 iNaturalist observations. 41 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Honey Badger on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Honey Badger?

The Honey Badger is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Gondwana Game Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.

What is the Honey Badger?

The honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the ratel (/ˈreɪtəl/ or /ˈrɑːtəl/), is the only species in the mustelid subfamily Mellivorinae and its only genus Mellivora. It is native to Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species; instead, it bears more anatomical similarities to weasels.

Wildlife

Honey Badger

Mellivora capensis

The honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the ratel (/ˈreɪtəl/ or /ˈrɑːtəl/), is the only species in the mustelid subfamily Mellivorinae and its only genus Mellivora.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordHoney Badger40+ stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records621 records

Curve from 621 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

Western Cape and beyond

Provinces where Honey Badger is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

621 records, iNaturalist

Parks where hosts record the Honey Badger

Places to stay

40+ results in South Africa

Tanda Tula Safari Camp

Limpopo

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 27 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Guided walk, Game drives

Price on request

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Ubuntu Lodge at Elephant Point

Hazyview

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 1 bird recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Price on request

Singita Ebony Lodge

Mpumalanga

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 42 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Boulders Lodge

Mpumalanga

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 43 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Sweni Lodge

Mpumalanga

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 53 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Singita Lebombo Lodge

Mpumalanga

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 50 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Plains Camp @ Rhino Walking Safaris

Mpumalanga

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Aardvark, African elephant · Guided walk, Game drives

Supports BirdLife South Africa

Price on request

Jaci's Private Lodge

Madikwe

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 71 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Game drives, Photography

Supports Jaci's Lodge Trust

From R 31,500 per night

&Beyond Tengile River Lodge

Bushbuckridge

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 37 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Wildlife viewing

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 93,000 per night

&Beyond Ngala Safari Lodge

Hoedspruit

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 31 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Game drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 37,800 per night

&Beyond Ngala Tented Camp

Phalaborwa

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 31 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Dining experiences

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 52,000 per night

Gecko Rock Private Nature Reserve

Touws River

Honey Badger recorded here · Fynbos biome · 1 bird recorded · Gemsbok, Aardvark · Mountain biking, Hiking

From R 360 per night

Drie Kuilen Nature Reserve

Montagu

Honey Badger recorded here · Fynbos biome · 59 birds recorded · Bontebok, Gemsbok · Guided walk, Hiking

Supports Cape Leopard Trust

From R 350 per night

Frog Mountain Getaway

Swellendam

Honey Badger recorded here · Fynbos biome · 20 birds recorded · Boomslang, Bushbuck · Hiking, Canoeing

Supports Cape Leopard Trust

From R 1,950 per night

Mdluli Safari Lodge

Hazyview

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Game drives

From R 10,670 per night

Kruger Shalati: The Train on the Bridge

Hazyview

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 17,400 per night

Dulini Moya

Bushbuckridge

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 38 birds recorded · Leadwood, Leopard · Safaris, Scenic drives

From R 28,990 per night

Izingwe Lodge

Welgevonden Reserve, Vaalwater

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 15 birds recorded · Aardvark, Banded mongoose · Hiking, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Kruger Untamed - Satara Plains Camp

Marloth Park

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Impala, Spotted hyena · Safaris, Guided walk

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 11,980 per night

Kruger Untamed - Tshokwane River Camp

Marloth Park

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 224 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Guided walk

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

From R 17,500 per night

Inzalo Safari Lodge

Welgevonden Reserve, Vaalwater

Honey Badger recorded here · Savanna biome · 15 birds recorded · Leopard, Lion · Safaris, Scenic drives

Supports Endangered Wildlife Trust

Price on request

Ouberg Private Nature Reserve

Montagu

Honey Badger recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 109 birds recorded · Black backed jackal, Honey badger · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 350 per night

Bloukrans Off-Grid Cabin

Montagu

Honey Badger recorded here · Fynbos biome · 108 birds recorded · Black backed jackal, Honey badger · Gravel cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,500 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Which parks and reserves are best for the Honey Badger in South Africa?: Hosts on Spekboom have recorded the Honey Badger at stays in or beside Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Kruger National Park, Sabi Sand Game Reserve, Gondwana Game Reserve, Timbavati Private Nature Reserve and Welgevonden Game Reserve and other reserves. A record means a host has seen it on the property or nearby, which makes these the places to base yourself; it is never a guarantee of a sighting on any given day.
Where can you see the Honey Badger in South Africa?: The Honey Badger is most recorded in Western Cape (34% of records), Mpumalanga (26% of records), Limpopo (16% of records), based on 621 iNaturalist observations. 41 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Honey Badger on site or nearby.
When is the best time to see the Honey Badger?: The Honey Badger is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it. For the parks where hosts record it most, these are the best seasons they give. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: Aug-Oct, flowers, Mar-May; Kruger National Park: Apr-Sep; Sabi Sand Game Reserve: year-round, dry season May-Sep optimal; Gondwana Game Reserve: Sep-Apr, flowers Aug-Oct. In the dry months animals concentrate at water and the grass is short.
What is the Honey Badger?: The honey badger (Mellivora capensis), also known as the ratel (/ˈreɪtəl/ or /ˈrɑːtəl/), is the only species in the mustelid subfamily Mellivorinae and its only genus Mellivora. It is native to Africa, Southwest Asia, and the Indian subcontinent. Despite its name, the honey badger does not closely resemble other badger species; instead, it bears more anatomical similarities to weasels.